President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev has received a delegation of the European Union-Azerbaijan Parliamentary Cooperation Committee led by the Committee chairman, member of the European Conservatives and Reformers Group, British MP Sajjad Karim.

The head of state hailed the successful development of Azerbaijan-EU relations. The President recalled his recent meeting at the European Commission, saying work is underway on a new agreement between the EU and Azerbaijan as a result of this trip.

President Ilham Aliyev noted that Azerbaijan has already signed or adopted declarations on strategic partnership with one third of member states of te EU.

Describing this as a good indicative of bilateral relations, President Ilham Aliyev pointed to the EU-Azerbaijan cooperation in a number of areas, including in political, economic, security, cultural, trade and energy security ones. He described the EU as Azerbaijan’s largest trade partner, hailing Azerbaijan’s growing role in ensuring Europe’s energy security.

On the transport infrastructure field, the head of state hailed the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan railway, which was launched last year, as a transport bridge between Asia and Europe, saying Azerbaijan has become an important transport hub in Eurasia.

President Ilham Aliyev expressed his confidence that the EU-Azerbaijan cooperation will continue to strengthen.

Chairman of the European Union-Azerbaijan Parliamentary Cooperation Committee Sajjad Karim and members of the delegation congratulated President Ilham Aliyev on the centenary of the Azerbaijan Democratic Republic.

Sajjad Karim praised the positive and constructive development of the EU-Azerbaijan cooperation over the past two years. He underlined the successful continuation of negotiations between the EU and Azerbaijan, which commenced last year.

Pointing to a very intense program of visit to Azerbaijan, Chairman of the European Union-Azerbaijan Parliamentary Cooperation Committee Sajjad Karim noted that both sides are keen to develop cooperation. He also underlined a good basis for cooperation with the Milli Majlis of Azerbaijan.

Sajjad Karim pointed out great potential for cooperation between the Committee and Azerbaijan in economic, transport, energy, investment, and interparliamentary relations areas.

During the meeting, the sides exchanged views on the issues relating to the settlement of the Armenia-Azerbaijan Nagorno-Karabakh conflict.

President Ilham Aliyev underlined Azerbaijan’s position on the settlement of the dispute.